The Collapse Of The Tsarist Regime, 1917 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What was the main route of transport in Russia in 1917?
The Trans-Siberian railway
In 1900 Russia had the same amount of rail as Britain but Russia was 100 times bigger
How was Russia ruled?
Russia was an Autocracy ruled by Tsar Nicholas II of the Romanov dynasty
Why was tsar such a weak leader ?
He was an autocratic leader and he thought he was chosen by God! He also did not have the strength of will, political knowledge to rule Russia, he was also fearful for his son, who had haemophilia.
Why was Russia and it’s economy so backward ?
85 % of the country was countryside
Very large population it was hard to access the natural resources
Why were town workers sad?
Separated into different classes and the seperate classes could do different jobs lower (workers) rich (bankers)
What caused a large opposition to Tsar?
Bloody Sunday , 1905 rev , industrial unrest
Who was Rasputin ?
Doctor for tsars son and believed to be the Tsarinas lover, he caused the Duma to fall apart and because of his actions the Nobility appeared increasingly deviant and corrupt
What was the demographic of Russia in 1917?
125 million people consisting of more than 20 different peoples, for 6/10 people Russia was a second language
What was the role of the Okhrana?
They were the Tsar’s secret police, they imprisoned dissidents and political opponents without trial and exiled them to Siberia
How many people in the Russian empire were members of the Russian Orthodox Church?
Around 70%, the church supported the Tsar and his belief in ‘The Divine Right of Kings’
What percentage of Russians were minority religions?
9% Roman Catholic
11% Muslim
These minorities did not like the Orthodox Church as it held power and privileges over them, the church was also very, very rich.
How many people marched on Bloody Sunday ?
200,000
What sparked revolution ?
Bloody Sunday and defeat in 1905 war
what are the key features of Bloody Sunday 22nd January 1905?
A peaceful march of 200,000 people to the winter palace, the tsar was not in the palace, soldiers opened fire killing hundreds and wounding thousands
What were the key features of the 1905 revolution?
Bloody Sunday and defeat of Russia in the 1904-5 war with Japan sparked revolution, there we’re strikes and mutinies, the October manifesto was released by Nicholas II
What was the October manifesto of 1905?
A promise by the Tsar to end censorship, the formation of the Duma, and freedom of speech
What happened at the battle of Masurian lakes on the 5-9 September 1914?
100,000 Russians were killed, the Russian steam roller had been destroyed
Battle of Tannenburg 26-29 August 1914
70,000 Russians killed and 50,000 captured
Whisky were the effects of WW1 on Russia?
.Inflation, 7 price rises from 1913-17
.Less food as 14 million men were called up to fight
.Russia’s infrastructure could not support the war and Russian citizens at the same time
.Frequent food and fuel shortages
.Longer working hours
.Consumer goods were scarce.
.Ehen pay was increased by 100% food prices had gone up by 300% (police report 1916)
Political effects of WW1?
Originally it caused the tsar to work with the Duma, after that the Tsars position was weakened as he left for the front to boost morale, Tsarina Alexandra was German, and susceptible to the charms of Rasputin
Russian inflation table, 1914-16 (Roubles)
Part of a room for a month (2-3)-(8-12)
Dinner in a tea room (0.15-0.20)-(1-2)
Tea in a tea room (0.07)-(0.35)
A pair of boots (5-6)-(20-30)
A shirt (0.75-0.90)-(2.50-3.00)
Events in Petrograd 26-28th February
26th- Army instructed to restore order but many of the Petrograd garrison had deserted
27th- Most of Petrograd garrison have mutinied, riots and looting,
Duma ordered to dissolve, 12 including Jeremy’s refuse and form the Provisional committee, demanded abdication,
First meeting of the Petrograd soviet of soldiers and workers deputies; the PC and soviet now run the country
28th- The soviet issue ‘Izvestiya’ and declares intention to remove old Regime
Events in Petrograd March 1917
1st- Soviet issue soviet order No’ 1, transferred power from army officers to the elected soviet
2nd- Nicholas decided to return to Petrograd, met at Pskov, his Generals tell him returning will not help.
Nicholas abdicates. He refuses to nominate his son for succession due to Haemophilia. His brother declines.
3rd- Provisional committee renamed the PG, became responsible for running the country
Why was the PG so weak?
.Was not elected
.Wanted to continue the war till elections
.Defeats in ww1
.Peasants looting estates, soldiers defended the landlords
.Soldiers and workers setting up Soviets in cities and towns
.People wanted an end to food shortages
.Minorities such as Finns and Poles wanted independence
.Little control of The army due to de facto government rule with the Petrograd Soviet
